Oxford Mail reports the government has awarded £12.7million of funding to Oxfordshire County Council for improvements to its bus services

The funding will support cheaper fares for under-19s, new rural services, bus priority measures and proposed traffic filters to reduce journey times, and the introduction of new zero emission electric buses over the next three years.

The council has welcomed the grant, but the money received is less than a quarter of their original £56million request.

Funding should help to revive the county’s bus service as passenger numbers in Oxfordshire, which had been in decline between 2014 and 2019, were badly hit by the impact of the pandemic.

Furthermore, bus companies have also suffered from rising fuel prices, shortages of drivers, and uncertainty about financial support from the government.

Full article:

Oxford Mail - Oxfordshire County Council secures £12million funding for cheaper youth bus fares, bus priority measures and rural services